The fire departments of Paxton, Sutherland and Hershey have responded to hundreds of fire calls and rescues in 2012. They've supplied mutual aid whenever it was needed across the state. Now they need some help.

There are two opportunities to win a massive set of horns to grace the wall of a hunting cabin or man cave. These Watusi are more than 10 years old and the horns span 10-12 feet.

They've lived long and extremely non-productive lives, having no purpose other than to mystify drivers along the country roads south of Sutherland. In their death, they can make a contribution to the budgets of local volunteer fire departments, which have saved countless human lives and homes, organizer Muriel Clark said.

Raffle tickets are $20 for the chance to win a complete Watusi cow - 1,000+ pounds of meat (probably best if made into burger) and a skull with 10-12' horn span. What is done with the cow is up to the winner.

A $5 raffle ticket offers the chance to win a skull with horns, ready for a taxidermist. The winner will make arrangements for shipping.

A dinner and dance is included. Free-will donations are welcome.

One hundred percent of proceeds will be divided equally between the volunteer fire departments of Paxton, Sutherland and Hershey.

There will be an additional drawing from the $20 tickets on Nov. 10 for the "duty" of shooting the Watusi that will be used in the dinner on the Nov. 17 (and will provide the skull).

That drawing is at the Longhorn Bar at 9 p.m. The ticket will then be placed back in the pool for the drawing for the complete cow. They will need to shoot the cow sometime in the following week as it'll need to be butchered and cook for more than 24 hours.

Members of the fire departments have the tickets. Also, call Ray Seifer at 308-386-8962 or email nebraskaoutback@gmail.com.